Flying to inauguration? NBAA says plan now

The National Business Aviation Association is urging operators planning to be in the Washington, D.C. area during President-elect Obama’s inauguration to start planning now and stay up-to-date on any new rules that may apply.

According to the association, one or more TFRs will be issued, restricting general aviation aircraft operations in the area surrounding Washington. NBAA expects traffic management initiatives that could require ground stops or ground delays at Dulles International (IAD) and/or Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) as well as other airports in the region.

As currently known, the Washington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) will mark the outer ring of the primary TFR and a flight restriction zone will prevail inside the inner ring, meaning that there will be no access to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA even to aircraft qualifying under the DCA Access Standard Security Program.

Only IFR traffic will be allowed into IAD and BWI and Manassas Regional Airport is being considered for IFR-only traffic, according to NBAA, which expects “parking challenges” at most or all airports surrounding Washington. The association is encouraging operators to contact Washington-area FBOs well ahead of the inauguration, to determine whether parking will be available.